Acupuncture eases xerostomia in head/neck cancer patients

Acupuncture can relieve the symptoms of xerostomia in patients who undergo radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, according to a new study in Annals of Oncology (October 24, 2012). Doctors at seven cancer centers in the U.K. recruited 145 patients suffering from radiation-induced xerostomia to a trial comparing acupuncture with education about oral care. The patients were randomized to receive group acupuncture sessions for 20 minutes every week for eight

Study IDs which teeth sites are at risk for caries

The results of a new study in the Journal of Dental Research (September 2012, Vol. 91:9, 841-846) will help dentists identify which at-risk sites on teeth are likely to become carious if no preventive action is taken, according to the study authors. Dentists could treat those at-risk sites to at least delay, if not stop, caries from developing, the authors wrote. The four-year, $3.4 million study, conducted at the Indiana

Ask Marty: What was new at the ADA 2012 Annual Session?

Q: What was new and exciting at the ADA 2012 Annual Session in San Francisco? 3M ESPE’s new True Definition impression scanner. 3M ESPE’s new True Definition impression scanner. A: 3M ESPE launched a new intraoral impression scanner, the True Definition, that uses 3D-in-motion video technology with a smaller scanning camera. You can share your data using open STL files. Plus, at $11,995, it has a much lower price than

Digital restorative dentistry becomes a practical solution

A talk hosted by the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry head of technology during the ADA 2012 Annual Session in San Francisco highlighted the breakneck pace that technology development in digital restorative dentistry has reached. “Sure enough, changes took place this week where I had to update my talk,” said Parag Kachalia, DDS, vice chair of preclinical education, technology, and research in the department of

OSAP: Holiday decor OK, but don’t forgo infection prevention

The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) is reminding the oral healthcare community to play it safe with office decorations as the holiday season approaches. Holiday decor should be limited to nonclinical areas, such as the reception area, waiting room, front windows, and doors, according to OSAP. Consider festive touches such as placing stickers on toothpaste samples and ordering special holiday scrubs if you choose to extend the celebration

Nontoxic benzocaine strip eases oral burn pain

A dissolvable oral strip has been developed to immediately relieve pain from burns caused by ingestion of hot foods and liquids, such as coffee, pizza, and soup. The research was presented last week at the 2012 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) annual meeting in Chicago. Lead researcher Jason McConville, PhD, and colleagues from the University of Texas at Austin, designed the strip for controlled delivery of a local anesthetic,

Align Technology Q3 revenues continue upward trend

Align Technology reported revenues of $136.5 million for the third quarter of 2012 (end-September 30), an 8.4% increase over revenues of $126 million for the same quarter a year ago. Invisalign clear aligner revenue for the quarter was $126.7 million, compared with $114.3 million in the third quarter of 2011. Scanner and CAD/CAM services revenue was $9.8 million, compared with $11.6 million in same quarter a year ago. Net profit

Novel chewing gum eases motion sickness

A new prototype for medicated chewing gum has been developed for motion sickness that may offer many advantages over conventional oral solid dosage forms. The research was presented last week at the 2012 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) annual meeting in Chicago. Lead researcher Mohsen Sadatrezaei of RoshaDarou, a pharmaceutical firm based in Tehran, Iran, and colleagues from the Islamic Azad University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences have developed a

Milestone Scientific partners with Univ. of Florida

Milestone Scientific has entered into an educational partnership with the University of Florida College of Dentistry to supply its Single Tooth Anesthesia (STA) system for use by the university faculty to train students. Milestone will also provide ongoing training support for the university faculty and its students, the company noted. The University of Florida College of Dentistry is one of six health colleges at the UF&Shands Academic Health Center in

New cold sore medicine uses 7.5% benzocaine

Quadex Labs has introduced Viroxyn Professional Use, a single application cold sore product available exclusively through healthcare professionals. The patented no-touch system contains 7.5% benzocaine to numb the site of the cold sore, making it possible to address the virus itself. This starts the healing process immediately, and provides the best clinical outcome per dose of any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) cold sore medication, according to the company. “Patients are

Oral-B unveils new power toothbrush head

Oral-B introduced the new Deep Sweep power brush head to dental professionals at the ADA 2012 Annual Session and World Marketplace Exhibition last week in San Francisco. The Oral-B Deep Sweep combines sweeping and stationary bristles with an angled power tip to clean between teeth and get to places that regular manual toothbrushes normally miss, according to the company.

Straumann to stop distributing iTero

Align Technology has reached a mutual agreement with Straumann to terminate their distribution agreements for iTero intraoral scanners in Europe and North America, effective December 31, 2012. The original exclusive distribution agreement in Europe was signed in December 2009 between Straumann and Cadent, the developer of iTero, which was subsequently acquired by Align in April 2011. A subsequent agreement was operationalized in February 2011, awarding Straumann nonexclusive distribution rights for